STATEMENT
UNHCR 89th meeting of the Standing Committee, 13-15 March 2024
Agenda Item 3a I - Regional update on East Africa, HoA and the Great Lakes.
Statement by Norway delivered by Svenn Wroldsen, First Secretary, the Permanent Mission of Norway
Check against delivery
12 September 2024
We thank UNHCR for the update.
Norway commends UNHCR for their efforts in enhancing protection response and assistance to the many people on the move in an increasingly volatile region. This is taking place in a region already hosting more than 5.1 million refugees and 19.4 million IDPs, with estimated increases in 2024.
The humanitarian consequences of the war in Sudan are alarming and constitutes one of the world’s largest displacement crisis. While other crises are getting headlines, we cannot ignore what is happening in Sudan.
An estimated 18 million people are facing acute hunger. We are concerned by warnings that West Darfur and Khartoum will slip into IPC 5 catastrophic hunger, due to absence of a ceasefire and humanitarian access. If not dealt with, this will lead to increased displacement and humanitarian suffering. Including in this, new stream of refugees into existing vulnerable situations in the neighboring countries, with risk of further regional destabilization.
Unfettered humanitarian access between the parties of the conflict (Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is urgently needed. Cross border humanitarian aid between Chad and Sudan is an important lifeline. Humanitarian diplomacy is needed to open more supply lines for emergency aid to reach the many civilians in need of assistance. This means opening more and safe border crossings and facilitating internal crossline access between areas controlled by parties of the conflict in Sudan.
In general, we are deeply concerned by reports of continued conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan and in other parts of this African region. More efforts are needed to prevent SGBV and offer protection and support to victims. We emphasize the importance of close cooperation among humanitarian organizations to prioritize this and other protection concerns.
For the overall situation in this region, Norway commend the UNHCR’s leadership in addressing sustainable solutions to protracted refugee crises. Close cooperation with governments and subregional organizations such as IGAD and the East African Community (EAC) is important to support their approach to freedom of movement, enable economic inclusion and livelihoods